ObjectiveTo explore feasibility of mRNA vaccines as a novel strategy for individualized precision treatment of pancreatic cancer (PC). MethodThe recent domestic and international literature on vaccine research in PC was reviewed. ResultsThe heterogeneity between and within the pancreatic tumors had limited the efficacy of traditional vaccines based on cells, exosomes, proteins, peptides, or DNA for PC. The mRNA vaccine was considered as a promising alternative therapy due to its precise targeting, low toxicity, and ability to induce long-lasting immune memory. Breakthroughs in the tumor antigen recognition, immune subtype differentiation, and mRNA vaccine construction, the development strategy of PC mRNA vaccine would further facilitate the development of personalized precision medicine. The existing mRNA vaccines usually need to be combined with other immunotherapy methods to improve efficacy, while the development of preventive vaccines is still exploraing. ConclusionsmRNA vaccines, as an innovative and promising platform, offer a new hope for the development of PC vaccines. However, the heterogeneity of PC has resulted in poor efficacy with traditional vaccines. Although the limitations of traditional vaccines and the heterogeneity of PC itself, the more challenges of vaccine research of PC is facing, the advantages of mRNA vaccine still make it possible to treat PC. In the face of the challenge of complex characteristics of PC, more research is needed to support the transformation and application of mRNA vaccine in clinical therapy.
